City Council

Regular Session 10/13/20 HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD FOUR HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. JASON N. GRAHAM, WARD ONE HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., WARD TWO HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 October 13, 2020 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, beginning at 7:30 p.m. using electronic communication through GoToMeeting pursuant to and in compliance with the City Council Ordinance 20-05, an ordinance to address Continuity of City Government during the pendency of a pandemic disaster. City Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Council members Kerry P. Devine, Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Jason N. Graham, Matthew J. Kelly and William C. Withers, Jr. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Assistant City Attorney Dori Martin, Community Planning and Building Services Director Charles Johnston, Senior Planner Mike Craig, Fire Chief Mike Jones, and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Matthew J. Kelly followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. National Arts & Humanities Month Proclamation (D20-481). Mayor Greenlaw proclaimed October as, National Arts & Humanities Month and she called upon community members to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in the city and nation. 20771 Regular Session 10/13/20 She also encouraged greater participation by community members in taking action for the arts and humanities in their towns and cities throughout the country. Rappahannock Area Health District (D20-482). Dr. Denise Bonds, Acting Health Director presented a PowerPoint presentation where she discussed the current COVID-19 Trends. Fredericksburg has had 568 cases since March 2020, 50 hospitalizations and 5 deaths. There were 25 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Dr Bonds also discussed the higher number of cases in the State in late May through early June and again in early August. The numbers have since decreased. The greatest number of cases have been among the 20-29 year olds. The greatest number of hospitalization and deaths were with the 80 plus year olds. Dr. Bonds also talked about cases by race and ethnicity. The number of cases per day were lower than they have been for several months, the highest number of cases were among young adults. With the colder weather the spread of the virus may increase. Dr. Bond said they would be having a large campaign on vaccines. She reported that the health department would also be hosting free CODIV-19 drive thru testing. Dr. Bonds also noted that the new Health District Director position had been posted and interviews would be in November and they hoped to have a Director in place within the next few months. Councilor Graham asked if the COVID-Wise app was still in use and Dr. Bond said it was and she encourage everyone to download the app because it keeps track of people you have spent 15 minutes or more near and it would notify you if someone you had been near for a length of time has tested positive. The system is anonymous. Council thanked Dr. Bonds and staff for all they have done. Dr. Bonds said the real stars were her staff members. 20772 Regular Session 10/13/20 Fredericksburg Regional Alliance Update (D20-483). Curry Roberts, President presented a PowerPoint presentation and he discussed the following: Regional Economic Development Organizations, Fredericksburg Regional Alliances Metrics, Metrics for the City of Fredericksburg, Regional Tax Chart, Fiscal Year 2021 Marketing Calendar, Go Virginia Initiatives and recent Economic Development Articles. See D20-483 for more information. Councilor Graham discussed how incredible the backfield was for cybersecurity jobs and Mr. Curry noted that Germanna Community College was working on this but the challenge was getting the students clearances. Councilor Graham suggested starting on the clearances when the student begin the classes. Mayor Greenlaw noted that they were working with City Schools on this program. Mr. Curry gave details about the November visit from the site consultants and said they would be holding briefs with Dominion Energy and Rappahannock Electric, Local Economic Development Directors, Dr. Troy Paino, President of Mary Washington University, Dr. Janet Gullickson, Chief Technology Director at Dahlgren and three businesses. They would end with a roundtable from the consultants and they would share the good, bad and the ugly. Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D20- 484 thru D20-487). Councilor Kelly moved approval of the City Manager’s consent agenda; motion was seconded by Councilor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly, Withers. Nays (0). 20773 Regular Session 10/13/20 • Resolution 20-76, Approved, Directing the City Manager to Implement Pay Changes (D20-484). • Ordinance 20-21, Second Read Approved, Expanding the Arts and Cultural District, and Extending Tax Incentives up to $250 Per Year, to Ten Years for All Qualifying Businesses in the District (D20-485). • Ordinance 20-22, First Read Approved, Amending §54-19 of the City Code to Raise the Threshold of Petit Larceny (D20-486). • Transmittal of Housing Plan (D20-487). Citizen Comment. The following comments were submitted to be read during the citizen comment portion of this evening’s meeting. Beth Black (D20-488), 900 Princess Anne Street, applauded the City’s Technical Review Committee and Fire Marshal J.V. Skinner for helping her business on their winter plan for outdoor dining. See D20-488 for more information. Council Agenda Presented. There were no items presented to Council for discussion. Adoption of Minutes (D20-489 thru D20-491). Councilor Graham moved approval of the June 9, June 18 and June 23, 2020 Work Session minutes and the September 22, 2020 Public Hearing and Regular Session minutes; motion was seconded by Councilor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly, Withers. Nays (0). Fredericksburg Clean and Green Commission Appointment – Sarah Hurst (D20-492). Councilor Devine made a motion to reappoint Sarah Hurst to the Fredericksburg Clean and Green Commission; motion was seconded by Councilor 20774 Regular Session 10/13/20 Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly, Withers. Nays (0). Fredericksburg Arts Commission Appointment – Alma Withers (D20-493). Councilor Devine made a motion to appoint Alma Withers to the Fredericksburg Arts Commission; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly, Withers. Nays (0). Resolution 20-77, Approved, Granting a Special Exception for Residential Density for the “Hanover House” Development at the Corner of Sophia Street and Hanover Street in Downtown Fredericksburg (D20- 494). After staff presentation, Councilor Devine made a motion to approve Resolution 20- 77, granting a special exception for residential density for the “Hanover House” development at the corner of Sophia Street and Hanover Street in Downtown Fredericksburg; motion was seconded by Councilor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly and Withers. Nays (0). Resolution 20-78, Approved, Granting a Special Exception to Permit a Duplex Dwelling at 315/317 McKinney Street (D20-495). After staff presentation, Vice-Mayor Frye made a motion to approve Resolution 20-78, granting a special exception to permit a duplex dwelling at 315/317 McKinney Street; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly and Withers. Nays (0). 20775 Regular Session 10/13/20 Resolution 20-79, Approved, Granting a Special Use Permit for Crown Trophy, a Retail Sales Establishment at 1529 Olde William Street (D20-496). After staff presentation, Councilor Kelly made a motion to approve Resolution 20-79, granting a special use permit for Crown Trophy, a retail sales establishment at 1529 Olde William Street; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Frye and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly and Withers. Nays (0). Resolution 20-80, Approved, Initiating Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, §72-32.2, Commercial Downtown District, §72- 40.2, Use Table, §72-41.2 Institutional Uses, §72-53.1 Off-Street Parking and Loading, and §72-84 Definitions, to Modify the Commercial Downtown (CD) Zoning District Regulations to Permit Additional Project-Based Residential Density, Clarify Rules for Mixed-Use Projects, and Update Permitted Uses (D20-497 thru D20-498). After staff presentation, Councilor Withers made a motion to approve Resolution 20-80, initiating amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, §72-32.2, Commercial Downtown District, §72-40.2, Use Table, §72-41.2 Institutional Uses, §72-53.1 Off-Street Parking and Loading, and §72-84 Definitions, to modify the Commercial Downtown (CD) Zoning District regulations to permit additional project-based residential density, clarify rules for mixed-use projects, and update permitted uses; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham, Kelly and Withers. Nays (0). 20776 Regular Session 10/13/20 Amending City Code §10-333 to Adjust Appointment Procedures and Membership Qualifications for the Fredericksburg Planning Commission to Allow for Staggered Terms and Reduce the Number of Planning Commission Members who are Required to Own Real Property (D20-499). After staff presentation and a brief discussion by Council it was agreed that this item should be sent to the Planning Commission for their input before Council takes a vote on the changes. Ordinance 20-23, First Reading, Authorizing Remote Participation Policies for In-Person Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Providing for Continuing Public Access to, and Participation in, Public Meetings (D20-500). Staff gave a brief overview of the changes and some of Council expressed some concern with allowing the public to attend meeting in the Chamber. Councilor Graham moved approval of Ordinance 20-23 on first read, authorizing remote participation policies for in-person meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic; providing for continuing public access to, and participation in, public meetings; motion was seconded by Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Abstain (1). Councilor Withers. City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D20-501 thru D20- 502). City Manager Baroody directed the Council’s attention to the Manager’s Update: City Wins VML Awards, Christmas Parade 2020 Deadline Extended, Virginia Public School Authority Refinances School Bonds, Voting in the City, “Ask the Mayor” Video Series, 20777 Regular Session 10/13/20 Chatham Bridge Closure, Upcoming Council Meetings, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Free COVID Testing, CARES Act Funding in Action, Maury Playground Refreshed, Mother Son Dance, Fall Programs and Fred Focus. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the meeting officially adjourned at 9:18 a.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 20778